SELF-MADE millionaires from Alderley Edge shared the secrets of their success during the launch of an extraordinary new book.

To The Edge tells the stories of thirteen entrepreneurs from the village and how they made it to the top.

The book, by author Malcolm McClean, reveals the motivations behind their business activities and the obstacles they had to overcome to be successful.

Hosted by Est Est Est in Alderley Edge, the masterclass in entrepreneurship from this colourful cast of self-made people also included a talk by business consultant Malcolm, 50, on his theories on the ‘sub-species of entrepreneurs.’

Malcolm got the idea for the book over dinner last year.

He said the book was written to “inspire” people who want to make money from what they love.

Malcolm, said: “The village centre is about 200 yards long but it is the most entrepreneurial street in Britain. You are bumping into these people at every turn.

“It’s like a masterclass at Harvard Business School every time you go out for coffee.

“I was looking at these people thinking if I could distil their successes and experiences, what a powerful, inspirational thing that would be.”

Founder of Cottrills Jewellery shop, Karl Massey, is one of the inspirational characters who feature in the book and was present at Monday night’s event.

Karl, whose shop was voted one of the top 100 most innovative in the world, started up his business in 1990 at the age of 27.

From a room at the back of his dad’s shop he began by providing gold watches and clocks for firms to give their employees as long-service awards and turned this into a multi million pound businesses.

Also there to support Malcolm at the launch was Blackburn Rovers footballer and businessman Brad Freedle and the Alderley Edge husband and wife team Jean and Stuart Pickering who are behind the multi-million pound childcare company Kids Unlimited.

The couple set up the company - now worth £30 million - because they were unable to get their children into a suitable nursery and they have never looked back.

It is claimed Alderley Edge is home to more millionaires per square mile than anywhere else in Britain. And in an index of ‘poshness’ Alderley Edge scored 136 out of a maximum 137.

But while the media often like to focus on the glitz and the glamour, an image of a shallow nouveau riche is not the real story, says Malcolm.

He added: “The entrepreneurial spirit is concentrated in these streets like nowhere else in Britain.